Introduction to the New Hampshire 4-H Dairy Project
4-H Dairy project members participate in one of the largest animal project areas. In addition to learning about and caring for an animal, 4-Hers can also participate in quiz bowls, judging clinics and contests, clinics that teach you how to prepare for a show, while also learning about management and production practices along the way. Senior 4-H members may even attend the National 4-H Dairy Conference in Madison, WI to connect with other passionate dairy 4-H members.
In the dairy project, 4-H members only show the female animals. Most 4-H members show heifer projects, a female dairy cow that has not given birth. Dairy heifer projects range from 4 months old to 2 years old. Once the heifer has calved, she is considered a cow. 4-H members may also show their older cow projects, and many enjoy breeding their animals and developing their own herd.
There are six main breeds of dairy cattle: Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey, and Milking Shorthorn. A 4-H project animal does not need to be registered or full-blood, but most 4-H members chose to do so, so that they are eligible to show in larger competitions.
- Required Participant Age: 8-18 as of January 1 of the current year
- Required Animal Age: 4 months or older
- Animal Vaccination Requirements: Rabies vaccination (recommended vet administered) 30 days and not more than one year prior to the date of the show. Animal must originate from a non-quarantined, tuberculosis-negative herd. Certificate of veterinary inspection may be required by some events and is required to bring an animal outside the state of NH.
- Required Animal Identification: Permanent ID – Ear tag (preferred) or legible tattoo.
- Dairy project animals must be entered into a 4-H member’s ZSuite account by June 1 (including a copy of the animal borrowing/ sharing form if applicable) to be eligible to show at NH 4-H shows.
- Up to 36 4-H members, 12 and older as of January 1 of the current year, are selected with their animals to participate as the NH 4-H Dairy Team at The Big E. This competition brings together the best 4-Hers in the dairy project from throughout the New England area. The selection process is based on the animal’s confirmation and fitting and showmanship placings.
- Youth wishing to partake in this team need to complete the following qualification criteria found in the NH 4-H Qualifying for ESE form.
- Additional animal criteria and requirements can be found at: https://www.thebige.com/p/competitions/4-h.
- The Big E Competition Packets
- Massachusetts 4-H Blue Ribbon Calf Sale
- American Guernsey Association
- American Jersey Cattle Association
- American Milking Shorthorn Society
- Ayrshire Breeders’ Association
- Brown Swiss Association
- Dairy Herd Network
- Hoards Dairyman
- Holstein Association
- Holstein Foundation
- Purebred Dairy Cattle Association
- Red and White Dairy Cattle Association
- NH 4-H Animal Science Bonanza
- NH 4-H Agri-Science Quiz Bowl (Dairy Division)
- 4-H Dairy Judging Contest
- NH 4-H Beef and Dairy Field Day
- National 4-H Dairy Conference
- NAILE
